After collecting a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a doctorate in biochemistry from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health Science Center San Antonio, now Dr. Wayne Matheny is still trying to help service members as a research physiologist for the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine at Natick Soldier Systems Center.

“That’s our goal,” Matheny said. “We want to help these guys. From my beginnings at the 18 Delta (Special Forces Medical Sergeant) course, I’ve always felt a kinship toward Soldiers.”

Matheny’s work in the Military Performance Division at USARIEM can only be seen through a high-power laboratory microscope, yet his efforts at the molecular level could produce huge dividends one day. His goal is to develop a method of speeding the healing process in wounded soldiers.

“In an effort to enhance return to duty,” said Matheny, “my goal is to accelerate the regeneration of skeletal muscle after an injury.”